Watch4Jerry

Hi, I'm Jerry!

Sioux Falls is a great place to live, work and PLAY! But, it is important to remember that roads are used by drivers, walkers, bicyclist, and even DOGS! Watch out for people using other movdes of transportation and be respectful of their right to use the road.

I'm just a little guy, so if you are staying alert and watching for me, chances are you will be able to see everyone else who is out using our City's streets.

Please Use Pet Waste StationsThe City of Sioux Falls is working to ensure that our community is both clean and pet-friendly by providing public pet waste stations. Stations are located near 16 kiosks along the bike trail and in several other park locations. There are also pet waste stations located throughout the Downtown area. Find out more about pet waste.

Pet waste is not only a public nuisance, but also a significant environmental issue. When decaying, bacteria-laden waste enters our rivers, it becomes a health concern for both human and aquatic life. The new pet waste stations offer pet owners an additional opportunity to protect our environment while sharing public parks with their pets.

Help keep Sioux Falls clean and pet-friendly!

Where You Can "Roll" on Sidewalks DowntownYou can ride on a bike, skateboard, skates or roller blades on the sidewalk, unless otherwise posted. However, these activities are not allowed where buildings are not set back from the sidewalk, as in commercial districts like Phillips Avenue and 8th Street near the 8th & Railroad Center in the Downtown Sioux Falls area.

Where sidewalk riding is allowed, remember that drivers usually watch in front of their cars. Fast moving objects on sidewalks are outside their normal field of view. Intersections, alleyways and driveways are very hazardous places for sidewalk riders, so be alert. Yield to pedestrians on sidewalks. Slow down and verbally acknowledge you are planning to pass, and on which side (such as "On your left!"). Sioux Falls ordinances also require bicycles on sidewalks to stop at all road intersections and to yield to all motor vehicles.

Pedestrian CrossingsCrosswalks are designed to keep pedestrians together where they can be seen by motorists, and where they can cross most safely across the flow of vehicular traffic. There are different types of pedestrian crossings.

Controlled crosswalks are typically “marked” crosswalks(such as painted stripes on the street) and usually have some traffic control device in place, such as a stop sign, stoplight or crossing signal. An uncontrolled crosswalk typically means that a traffic control device is not in place. An uncontrolled crosswalk may either be marked or unmarked.

Share the RoadSioux Falls is a community of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists - so it is important to be respectful of one another and share the road.

Drivers:- Watch for pedestrians and bicyclists. Look in all directions before pulling out of parking spaces or when at crosswalks, alleys and driveways.- When approaching a "right on red" intersection, vehicles must stop behind the wide line of a crosswalk. Only after you can see the crosswalk is clear and there are no bicycles near you,then you can proceed forward and turn. - Give bicyclists 3 feet of clearance when passing. If the speed limit on the road is above 35 miles per hour, you must allow 6 feet when passing (it's the law!).- Avoid texting and driving at all costs! It is illegal. No one’s life is worth a text or call.

Special Tips for Teen Drivers!Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for U.S. teens 15 to 19 years old. In 2013, 2,614 teen (15-19 year old) passenger vehicle drivers were involved in fatal crashes. The “5 to Drive” campaign addresses the five most dangerous and deadly behaviors for teen drivers:

No Drinking and Driving. Almost one out of five (19 percent) of the young drivers (15 to 19 years old) involved in fatal crashes had been drinking, even though they were too young to legally buy or possess alcohol.

Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time. Front Seat and Back. 64 percent of all the young (13- to 19-year-old) passengers of teen (15- to 19-year-old) drivers who died in motor vehicle crashes in 2013 weren’t restrained.

Put It Down. One Text or Call Could Wreck It All. The age group of 15 to 19 years old has the highest percentage of drivers who were distracted by cell phone use and involved in a fatal crash. In 2013, 156 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted teen driver.

Stop Speeding Before It Stops You. In 2013, almost one-third (29 percent) of teen drivers involved in a fatal crash were speeding.

No More Than One Passenger at a Time. The risk of a fatal crash goes up with each additional passenger.

Bicyclists:- Follow the rules of the road! Be sure you are watching for traffic and crossing streets properly.- Bicyclists: you are a vehicle, so obey all traffic rules, be visible, protect your head (wear a helmet) and signal when turning. - Give an audible warning such as "On your left!" when passing pedestrians, and pass with care.- At intersections, stop before entering crosswalks.

Pedestrians:
- Use crosswalks and follow signals.
- Make yourself visible to others moving on streets and sidewalks.
- Be sure to allow yourself enough time to cross, and do not dart out in front of vehicles.